The Birthday Crown Mystery

Last week, my baby, affectionately referred to by me as "Roo," turned five. I was determined to make a birthday crown for her, and I did. I was able to successfully attach the trim using the sewing machine, but when it came time to sew the front and back together, I experienced the one hiccup in my new found sewing success. I had contemplated blanket stitching around the edge anyway, so I decided to go ahead with it—despite the fact that the only blanket stitching I had done was on my beginning embroidery sampler.

The blanket stitching left a lot to be desired, but I knew the recipient had not inherited her mother's tendency towards perfectionism, so I overcame my misgivings about the final product and gave it to her on the afternoon of her birthday. She loved it! And she wore it that day and the next day as well. When it came time to have our family party a few days later with my parents who came from out of town, the birthday crown was no where to be found. We searched everywhere, and it still hasn't turned up! Needless to say, I am very disappointed. Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to take a photo immediately after I presented Roo with the crown!

On a happier note, I have perfected the cupcake. I use a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix, which makes 24 cupcakes. (I know, I know, but I tried baking them from scratch, and they just aren't as good!) The frositng IS made from scratch using the Easy Buttercream recipe from the King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion. Finally, I sprinkle a little decorative sugar on top in colors that will please the honoree. These cupcakes have gotten rave reviews from everyone who has tried them.

Just Because

I bought these teacups last weekend just because I love them. Eight for $6.50. I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth.

Making Peace with the Machine

One of the reasons I resumed this blog was that I was inspired to begin sewing. However, my first efforts were less than satisfactory, so I allowed myself to shift my focus to drawing and later to embroidery. BUT last week, I was determined to make my daughter a simple doll quilt for her birthday, and I was successful! I used the instructions for the Easy Baby Quilt in Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. My mods were to make it smaller and to use regular ties since there is no risk of a baby eating the ties. I would have preferred a different fabric for the top, but if you know a five-year old girl...

My success with the quilt led me to make a pillow out of an embroidery project I was working on for my very wise friend Michelyn's birthday. I had already done most, if not all, of the stitching (I can't remember!), but I couldn't decide if I should frame it, mount it, or what. Once I felt comfortable with the sewing machine, I decided to make a small pillow, and I was thrilled with the result. The taupe linen I used is from a size 4X shirt I bought at the thrift store for $3! (I only used a piece of a sleeve for this project!) For the back, I used a dark red and taupe gingham, and I added a dark red grosgrain ribbon for hanging. The embroidery was done with my new favorite, #5 perle cotton, in dark brown (DMC #938). I made up the design myself using a vintage owl pattern I found here.

My sewing machine success inspired me to lay out a new table runner design using the "Fabulous Fall" Moda Charm Pack I bought during our trip to NC. I love the colors! I've never done any patchwork before, and I am shooting from the hip here (no pattern), so this could be an adventure.

Update 7-22-11: Looking at those beautiful fabrics makes me sad to have to say it, but I recently gave away most all of my sewing and quilting stash to someone who will make good use of it. Sigh...

Two More Reasons to Love Embroidery

1. It's really fast! I completed this project in a few hours.


2. My kids can do it too! They are not ready to knit or crochet yet, but they have had no problem learning to embroider!

Why I Love Embroidery

I can't remember exactly what inspired me, but a few weeks ago, the embroidery bug bit me, and I am hooked. I have been crocheting for more than three years and knitting for more than two, so maybe it's just time for me to try something new, but I think it was a natural progression for a crafty type like me. I haven't had the time to do nearly as much embroidery as I would like, but I have been thinking a lot about what has attracted me to this medium. In no particular order...

• After teaching myself to crochet and to knit, learning to do embroidery was extremely easy.
• It is easy to pick up and put down and to transport.
• You can do a lot with a few basic stitches.
• There are a limited number of inexpensive supplies required for the craft.
• The color and design possibilities are endless.
• There are hundreds of free patterns available. Here are a few of my favorite sources: 1. Needle'n Thread and 2. Needlecrafter.com, and 3. the Hoop Love Vintage Transfers Flickr group.
• Simple line drawings can be traced and used for patterns. This is what I did for my first project. I Googled "fleur de lis," printed a clip art image, sized it using image editing software, printed it, and traced it onto my fabric using a water soluable pen.
  
  
• The supplies are generally readily available. I say generally because in the town where I live, I CANNOT PURCHASE EMBROIDERY FLOSS. Yes, you understood me correctly, and I am not mistaken. I live at least an hour-and-a-half from the nearest craft store! However, as you probably guessed, there is a Wal Mart in town, and it still sells fabric, so for that I am thankful. I got a really nice muslin there this week.
• Because I do a little drawing and lettering, I am inspired to create my own original designs, and I already have several in mind.
• Embroidery can be combined with quilting and sewing and other types of mixed media such as artist trading cards and art post cards to create wonderful, interesting artwork. Take a look at this!
• There is a great Flickr group with lots of inspiration.

I'm sure I will come up with more reasons to love embroidery. If you embrodier, WHY DO YOU LOVE IT?

FO: Anne Scarf

Here is my latest FO—a crocheted scarf I made for my friend, Angela, for her birthday. It's the Anne pattern. Raveled here.

Sneak Peek

Just a quick look at what I've been working on...

My first efforts at embroidery!

Crocheted FO!

I haven't knitted a thing since I finished the feather and fan scarf, but I have steadily been crocheting this blanket for a new baby, primarily while watching our Friday night DVDs. I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease in Blossom and a J hook. It's half-double crochet with a basic ruffled border. Great yarn. I think it will be my standard baby blanket yarn from now on. Now I'm itching to knit something, but I have some more small crochet projects I need to complete first. Details forthcoming!

Recipe: Banana Bread

I have loved Banana Nut Bread for as long as I can remember, and I have tried many variations of the recipe, but this one is still my favorite. It is an adaptation of a family recipe that I have modified enough that I am comfortable calling it my own. I have often substituted pecans for walnuts, but I prefer the walnuts. I give this to people for gifts, and they always rave over it. I often bake two loaves at a time. Enjoy!

Kathryn Estelle's Banana Bread

¾ cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 ripe bananas
1 cup sugar
¼ cup canola oil
2 eggs
1 cup chopped walnuts

Peel bananas, break into pieces, and place in bowl of an electric stand mixer. Use mixer on low speed to mash bananas. To bananas, add sugar, canola oil, and eggs, and mix well. In a separate bowl, mix the flours, salt, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until just combined. Add the walnuts to the batter, and fold them in gently by hand. Do not over mix the batter. Pour batter into a greased (I use canola oil spray.) 9 x 5 inch metal baking pan, and bake at 350 degrees for one hour. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before turning out bread onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

Fiber Update

Since I finished knitting the feather-and-fan scarf, I haven't been able to motivate myself to knit anything, but I have several projects in mind. One is a Baby Surprise Jacket for my cousin's baby expected in October. Are you game, Happy Hands? I'm going to use the Cherry Tree Hill DK, I think.

I have been doing some crocheting. I made a washcloth for a friend's birthday gift, and I am working on a simple baby blanket. It is very basic, but I'm thinking of making the pattern available when I'm finished. It's the type of thing I was looking for when I was a beginning crocheter, and its the kind of mindless project I need for DVD viewing.